Is yoga a religion?
R/Yoga is not a religion but a philosophy born in India approximately 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutra which provides a guide for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Sometimes yoga relates with other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism although it is not necessary to study those paths to practice or study yoga.

I have never done yoga, what I need to start?
R/Basically what you need to start practicing yoga is your mind, body and will to learn.

Do I need to be flexible in order to practice yoga?
R/You do not need to flexible when starting to practice yoga. This will come on the way with practice. Even if you think you are physically unfit for exercise you can still do yoga.

Is yoga competitive?
R/Yoga practice goes around your very own individual experience encouraging the non competitive spirit of yoga.  One of the most liberating things about yoga is the acceptance that no one is better than anyone else.  Your practice will be a group where everyone is doing their best on any particular day.

How should I dress to practice yoga?
R/You will need a pair of sweatpants, leggings or comfortable shorts, a not too baggy t-shirt and a towel.  A yoga mat is necessary although majority of studios can provide one for you.

Should I refrain from eating before a yoga class?
R/Having your last meal at least 2 to 3 hours before your class is recommended. During your yoga practice there will be some twisting, turning and bending of your body and being not fully digested can become not comfortable.  If you are hungry previous to a class try something light such as yogurt, few nuts or juices.

Are yoga practitioners vegetarians?
R/Some are vegetarians and some are not. One of the principles of yoga philosophy is ahimsa, which means you should not harm yourself or others. Some people interpret that this also includes that you should not be eating animal products.  Even though there is a debate in the yoga community regarding this issue, we recommend for this to be a very personal decision not to be imposed.

How constantly should I practice yoga?
R/Is up to you, as long as you are feeling comfortable and developing your yoga practice at your very own pace. A good starting point is to apply what you learn or visit a yoga dojo two up to three times a week for about one hour.  Soon you will feel your desire to come naturally to practice more and more.

At what time should I arrive to a yoga session?
R/Please try to reach at least 10 minutes before your session. If you are late do not enter the class if it already started and be on time the next class or another day.

Why the word “Om” is pronounced at the beginning and end of a yoga session?
R/Being a combination of physical and mental exercises to become one with the Universe or God, it is believed the word “Om” (aum) creates a special vibration beneficial to the body and mind plus creating a channel of communication between the body´s energy with that of the Universe.

Can I loose weight by practicing yoga?
R/Yes, yoga can help you reduce weight. There is a variety of exercises meant to help you on this matter providing you are willing to exercise daily at least 20 to 30 minutes. Also, yoga can control your appetite, regulate your levels of cholesterol and increase your metabolic rate to burn more calories.

Are there several styles of yoga?
R/Yes, there are several types of yoga styles. Beginners should try the hatha or vinyasa styles which are more basic styles and further develop in others. Following please find a brief overview of the most important yoga styles. Plenty of other styles have been developed in the last decades, combining and improving several ancient techniques.

• Hatha –This style is usually slow paced and gentle providing a good introduction to the basic yoga poses. The term can be used to describe different type of classes.
   
• Vinyasa –Meaning breath synchronized movements; it tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, matching movements to the breath.
   
• Ashtanga/Power Yoga–This is a fast-paced intense style of yoga. It is physically demanding due to the constant movement or flow from one pose to the other.
   
• Iyengar–This style is mostly geared toward body alignment or precise position when performing a pose for maximum benefit and to avoid injuries. Usually it emphasizes holding poses over long periods of time instead of quick changes from one pose to another.
   
• Kundalini –This yoga style emphasizes on the breath in conjunction with physical movement in order to freeing energy in the lower body, allowing it to move upward. Even though breathing control is always involved in all styles, the breath effect on the postures of kundalini is essential, using rapid and repetitive movements rather than poses held for a long time.
   
• Bikram/Hot Yoga –Yoga practice done in a 95 to 100 degree room thus allowing loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating thought to be cleansing.